Origin: southwest China
Flower colour: yellow, red, pink, blue, purple
Flowering period: June – September
Average plant height: 8 – 12 inches
Planting depth to base of bulbs: 4 inches
Spacing between bulbs: 6 inches
Type of bulb: perennial
Light requirements: partial shade and heavy shade in warmer zones
Landscape uses: borders, rock gardens
Roscoea has orchid-like flowers. The plants are quite tidy in growth and have the appearance of a miniature fountain, the flowers being the cascade. Named in honour of William Roscoe (1753-1831), founder of the Liverpool Botanic Garden in 1802. The genus is brought into culture in the 19th or early 20th century. The hardiest species are gaining popularity, Roscoea purpurea, with lovely purple flowers.
Principal varieties
- Roscoea auriculata ‘Beesiana’ – cream/purple stripes
- Roscoea scillifolia – pink
